382 - What Is A Doofus Test?

Most bad deals do not fail at the closing table. They fail early, and people ignore the warning signs. In this short podcast, I explain one of the most valuable lessons I learned over 30 years ago from my mentor, Dan Peńa: the Doofus Test. The Doofus Test is not about catching people doing something wrong. It is about revealing who they already are. I break down the five observable pillars behind the test: Dependability Integrity Qualifications Intelligence Stability You will learn how small behaviors like punctuality, follow through, and the timing of compensation questions reveal everything you need to know about board prospects, advisors, banks, law firms, and acquisition candidates. I also talk about why your job as a business acquirer is not to convince people, but to qualify them. Why fixing or rationalizing early warning signs leads to bad partnerships. And why disciplined disqualification protects your time, your capital, and your future headaches. If you want to close better deals, build stronger boards, and avoid unnecessary problems, this podcast episode will change how you evaluate people forever.

Mid-January is where most New Year's resolutions quietly break. The goals are still written down. The intentions are still there. But execution starts to fade. In this episode, I outline a mid-January check-in for serious business acquirers. This is not motivation. It is accountability. I walk through: Why hope replaces execution for most people by mid-January How to use the Ivy Lee method to stay focused on what actually matters The difference between goals and execution commitments How to course-correct quickly if you are off track How to protect momentum if you are still executing If no one else can tell you worked this week, it probably did not count. This episode is a reminder that progress in 2026 will not come from intention. It will come from disciplined, uncomfortable execution week after week. Listen, apply, and then take a hard look at your actions. To Your Success, Bruce

Your biggest competition in business acquisitions is not private equity or investment banks. It is human BOTS. In this short podcast, I explain how most business acquisition practictioners' outreach fails because people behave like BOTS: no research, no listening, generic scripts, and zero follow up. More importantly, I walk through exactly how serious acquirers separate themselves from the noise by doing simple research, asking better questions, listening for what actually matters to the owner, and building trust instead of pressure. If you want sellers to remember you and eventually say yes, this episode shows you how. To Your Success, Bruce

Most New Year's resolutions fail by February.   Not because people lack ambition, but because resolutions are emotional promises rather than execution systems.   In this short five-minute episode, I reframe New Year's resolutions into something far more effective for business acquisition success. Affirmations that shape identity. Execution commitments that force action. Goals that become inevitable outcomes. This episode is for serious acquisition-minded entrepreneurs who are done preparing and ready to execute in 2026.   I walk through a simple, disciplined framework used by my most successful mentees and end with a practical exercise you can complete in one sitting.   To Your Success,   Bruce

December 26th is the most honest day of the year. The holidays are over. The noise is gone. And what remains is the truth about whether you are actually moving toward business ownership or simply thinking about it. In this podcast episode, I explain why nothing meaningful begins on January 1st and why waiting for the "right time" quietly destroys momentum in business acquisitions. This is a message for those who are tired of preparing and ready to act. I talk about the real difference between observers and successful business acquisition practitioners. Why silence is still a decision, and why discomfort is not a signal to stop but proof you are finally in the game. If you have been watching from the sidelines, this episode is your invitation to step forward. And I offer you a challenge. To Your Success, Bruce brucewhipple.com

Why do some mentees close deals faster while others stay stuck for years? In this podcast episode, I break down the exact traits shared by my most successful business acquisition mentees. These are not theories or motivational clichés. These are real-world behaviors observed across my decades of mentoring. You'll learn: Why discipline matters more than talent How focus and eliminating distractions accelerate results What massive action really looks like in acquisitions Why following the steps and sticking to your criteria protects you from bad deals The power of simply saying "next" If you are serious about acquiring businesses and want to understand what actually drives success, this episode is for you. If you don't know the steps of business acquisition ... you should. Here they are. https://go.brucewhipple.com/aabc  To Your Success, Bruce brucewhipple.com

Yesterday I did a video titled "Are You Stuck In The Past!? Here is the link if you missed it. https://youtu.be/JMNyXjW40UY?si=L8yC6pFGFJ3sK2H_    On this week's Business Acquisition Podcast, I'll discuss the excuses that hold people back and a "case study" showing just that. I have had an excuse at times as well, but I work hard at taking "excuse" out of my vocabulary.   It's all in this week's podcast, so if you think you're ready for some hard truths, give it a listen!    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/

Yesterday, I shared a video titled Two Of My Favorite VIP Stories! Here is that link if you missed it. https://youtu.be/G0nn1ola5m4?si=1tO94c6_S9jorY0d  The VIP Mastermind is the best mentoring program I do.  The doors are open between now and next Wednesday to add 2 or 3 members. Joining by next Wednesday will allow you to join our two-day virtual training on December 10th and 11th, so you can really jump-start your business acquisition journey. This week's podcast covers two VIP members' successes and one example of one member's experience and why it didn't turn out like he wanted.   Here are the VIP Mastermind details. https://go.brucewhipple.com/vipmastermind  To Your Success, Bruce Whipple.

It's the weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday - the traditional shopping weekend after Thanksgiving in the United States. Special sales are happening everywhere (so watch your email from me as well - LOL).    In my most recent YouTube video, I revealed why most people don't see failures as temporary defeats that teach lessons and allow course corrections. Instead, they tend to blame external factors when, in large part, they are the captains of their own ship and control the outcome.  Here is that video if you missed it. This podcast is Part Two to that video, discussing the importance of learning from temporary defeat, and what high performers do when they experience a setback.     To Your Success... and Keep Pushing!     Bruce Whipple   brucewhipple.com

It's time for a truth bomb... Most people who think they're good negotiators are actually terrible at it. Seriously. They don't prepare properly. They talk too much. And they panic when someone asks a question that isn't part of their "mental script." If any of this sounds familiar, today's your lucky day. Why? Because, in this week's podcast, I'm going to show you how to fix it. To Your Success, Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/ PS - Be on the lookout for a special Black Friday offer designed to help you sharpen your sales and negotiating skills!